Manchester City round-up: Dortmund forward off the table; move for Juventus defender in motion; Hart latest

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The Manchester Evening News has reported earlier this afternoon that a supposed move for Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t be happening at the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Reports from Sky Sports, last night, claimed that Manchester City’s interest in the Gabon international was beginning to grow. However, as of this afternoon, the club have dismissed talks of a move.

The local outlet claims that boss Pep Guardiola is keeping his attentions firmly placed on signing Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, ruling the Citizens out of signing the talented 28-year-old.

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It is thought that Aubameyang – who scored 31 goals in 32 Bundesliga games last season – was on Guardiola’s radar last summer, but the current £60 million price tag on his head is deemed as excessive.

Despite his desire to add some fire-power to his attack alongside Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero it is believed that his priority lies with the Chilean forward, and not with Aubameyang.

Meanwhile, exclusive reports from The Sun this morning have claimed that talks between Manchester City and Juventus defender Dani Alves are underway ahead of a reunion with ex-boss Guardiola.

It is said that the veteran Brazilian defender is on the brink of agreeing a £100,000-a-week switch to the Etihad, with bonuses also being negotiated in the event that City win domestic or European titles.

Alves currently has a year left on his Juventus contract but it is thought that he held talks with the club yesterday to tell them of his plans to leave on a free transfer, now looking for a new challenge.

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The 34-year-old played an integral part in helping the Old Lady win the Serie A title and reach the Champions League final in Cardiff, eventually falling just short to back-to-back winners Real Madrid.

During their time together at Barcelona, Alves and Guardiola won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies – and it’s believed that he can’t turn down the chance to re-unite again.

In other news, the Telegraph has reported that West Ham may face a tussle with Manchester United to secure the services of out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart next season.

The England number one is unlikely to be a part of Guardiola’s plans for the club after falling out with the Spaniard last summer – an argument that saw him out on-loan in Italy at Torino last year.

And the report suggests that Slaven Bilic’s side are particularly keen on bringing in the 30-year-old shot-stopper after disappointing seasons for current ‘keepers Darren Randolph and Adrian respectively.

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Yet it is believed that City’s fierce rivals Manchester United could stand in the way of this move happening should David de Gea be sold to Real Madrid – as reported by the Telegraph in early June.

It seems unlikely that the Spanish goalkeeper is leaving Old Trafford this summer – and it would be even unlikelier for City to sell directly to rivals United – but speculation could force the London side into action.

The potential deal-breaker in a move to West Ham is that they are only willing to offer him a season-long loan, as the club doesn’t currently have the funds to finance Hart’s wage demands for a permanent switch, and with the 2018 World Cup on the horizon, he may not want to be sent out on-loan once again.

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